Legends and Heros of the Realms

Richtus Tirone

Chief of the Tirone tribe, Richtus was one of humanities, greatest generals in the Three Races War and before. Wielding a magical dwarven sword, Richtus lead his tribesman in charge after charge against the southern front. With a small core of commando troops he liberated the cities of Tirone and Bravnair, expelling the elven troops and "advisors" He lead the sacking of Virinthan and Awlador, the two major cities of the southern reaches of the elven empire, forcing the southern elves to declare their own independence and sue for peace.

But Tirone's most well known exploits were at the end of the war, when he, Vartran and 5 other great heros went north to the elven capital. Tirone, met the elven king in single combat, but was struck down by a magical spell as he was about to deal the final blow. Vartran avenged Tirone's death by killing the king himself, and took Tirone's body back home in honor after destroying the capital. Tirone's sword was lost in the city, though it was eventually recovered by the elves, and now rests in the armory of Prince Aylinar Lorin.

Tirone is revered greatly in the duchy bearing his name. His heirs held the rank of Duke for over 100 years, but unfortunately a traitor rose to the title, and the line ended in disgrace.

Litten the hero of the Necromancer War

Litten and his companions were instrumental in the defeat of the Necromancer King of Silder. Though Litten and most of his companions died at the hand of the Necromancer's minions, he delayed the army enough, and provided a distraction that allowed the Imperial Army to smash the Necromacer's core troops. The Necromancer escaped, never to be seen again. Litten was a warrior of common birth, born in Candor and said to have some dwarven blood, Litten was a short but powerful man. He was an inspirational leader, and a religious man, sworn to the ideals of Quolen (though imperfect in following them.) Litten risked his life and limb to wipe the abomination of the undead legions off the face of the planet.

Litten's companions

Brannol, Dragonslayer

Late, in the fourth century YOF, a trio of dragons moved their hunting grounds, out of relatively uninhabited mountains, into the center of Leahat, just outside of the nation's capital. Hunting among the peasants, and repeatedly raiding the city, the dragons caused unprecendented death and distruction. The King sent out armies and adventurers, hoping to defeat the dragons, but they merely died, and angered the dragons further. It was at this time, that Brannol appeared. A half-elf mage, and an expert swordsman, Brannol engaged the first of the dragons, singlehandedly, slaying it as it was burning a village. Then, weakened and wounded, he retreated back to the city, inspiring the townsfolk and the Knights of the Silver Sword to defend against the dragons' furious counterattack. Though half the city was destroyed in the ensuing battle, the dragons were defeated.

The Legend of Loretta

According to official dogma of the major religions of Belfiad, there are six major gods. Bordel and Quolen (The Father and Mother), Zakath, and Kentell, Gerrain and Menaia (The Triplets). But common legend and folklore includes a seventh, Loretta, Goddess of the Night, Zakath's twin. The major church's deny her existance, claiming she is mere myth.

Folklore portrays her as a Goddess of evil and the night, ruler of the undead, bringer of pain and death. Cults to her gather on dark nights, making sacrifices and plotting evil acts.

20 years ago, cults of Loretta over the whole country organized, plotting widespread mischief, and inspiring rebellion. It was finally the actions of three young nobles, that defeated the plot arresting the high-priest of Loretta, and turning him over to a council of the six Gods.

Rorana Slyphewind GodSlayer

Rorana Slyphewind was an elven archmage from the city of Virinthon. After the fall of Thalensia, she rode forth at the head of an army into goblin lands, determined to crush the growing cult of the demon-lord Ak'nar Thad and halt the goblin's expansion.

At first her army met tremendous success, rolling the goblin armies back away from the Thalensia province and north west toward the garrison at the province of Tirone. It was here that she met real resistance, as the goblin shamans and wizards began summoning demonic allies by the hundred and later thousands to hold off the elves.

Her line warriors nearly impotent against the demons, Rorana was forced to rely almost entirely on the magics of her few wizard squads and company support mages. Seeing no other choice, she sent word back to Virinthon, and requested that the Bloodstone be sent to her. With the bloodstone in hand, she personally strode into the masses of demonic forces, the bloodstone blazing with divine fire, and began banishing demons scores at a time, holy fire rolling across the plains consuming demons wherever they stood.

The more demons the goblins threw at her, the brighter and hotter the bloodstone burned, and Rorana's sword and spells seemed magnified a hundred-fold. Finally, the brutal efficiency of the stone's wielder drew the attention of the god Ak'nar Thad himself. He projected himself to the mortal plane, ignoring the eon-old agreements of the elder gods, and confronted Rorana directly.

The bloodstone in one hand, and a sword, now white hot and showering sparks in the other, Rorana unleashed the last of her magical onslaughts on Ak'nar. She held the stone in front of her as Ak'nar Thad retaliated, the stone's fire forming a barrier around her and deflecting lightning, fire, and black bolts of pure death. All around Rorana, elf and goblin alike perished nearly instantly, but Rorana stood firm, her left arm feeble and blackened, her whole body exhausted and scorched. Holding the sword firmly she charged at the beast, unleashing a flurry of sword blows with impossible strength. Nearly an hour dragged on, with the two combatants trading blows, and fiery bolts of magic till finally in the end, Roranna plunged her sword through the demon-lord's chest. Shrieking in anger, he tumbled backward, and was sucked into a black whirlpool in the sky.

Roranna collapsed exhausted and near death, the Bloodstone cold and lifeless in her hands. When some of her troops found her the next day, she was barely coherent, her left arm had withered to uselessness and her body was more elderly than the oldest elven elder. They carefully carried her back to Virinthon, where she was honored as a hero, and briefly brought back to consciousness. She spoke with the loremasters, telling her tale of victory, and warning of the terrible consequences of wielding the enormous power of the stone, before she died peacefully.

The loremasters conferred over her story, studied the oracles and conferred with the gods. They learned that while Rorana had not been able to kill Ak'nar, she had banished him from this plane for several centuries, and deprived his priests from his power for almost as long. The power of the bloodstone was beyond what had been thought, but could take its users life-force to power itself. The stone was placed in a special shrine, and its use was forbidden for any but the gravest of circumstances. Rorana was celebrated as a hero among her people, remembered with the title GodSlayer, wielder of the Stone and savior of elfdom.

Legends among the humans tell the tale slightly differently. Here, the armies Roranna led were composed mostly of humans conscripted to fight for the elves, and Roranna unleashed her spells wildly, striking down goblin and ally alike. While humans acknowledge her great skill and ultimate sacrifice, they consider her a dangerous example of the disregard elves hold for human life.

Thikar Kohrren - Master Runesmith

Widely hailed by the dwarves as their greatest weaponsmith and runeforger, Thikar is best known in Belfiad as the legendary forger of the Seven Swords of Belfiad. As well as a mastercraftsman without peer, he was a devout priest of Kurek, and a fierce warrior. His spells, fighting prowess, and magical weapons were key in several wars. However, after he forged the swords he disappeared into the mountains and was never seen again (or at least his sightings have never been confirmed. Even today dwarves continue to claim to have been saved by him, even though he would be nearly 600 years)